Road rash
Being a cyclist in this city can be hazardous to your health, if crash statistics released by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Police Department are any indication.
From 2006 to 2010, police recorded 969 cyclist-involved collisions and five deaths. The highest number of crashes228occurred in 2010 and the lowest158in 2007, according to information released under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and posted on the VPDs website.
The statistics reveal crashes occurred throughout the city, from Highbury Street on the West Side to Beach Avenue by English Bay to Cassiar Street on the East Side.
The statistics dont include the extent of injuries or who was at fault in the crashes or deaths, which occurred at the following locations:
- In 2006, a cyclist died at West Fourth Avenue and Trimble and another died at Clark Drive and North Grandview Highway. Both occurred in July of that year.
- In October 2007, a cyclist died at West Fourth Avenue and Trafalgar Street.
- In June 2008, a cyclist died in the 2000-block Main Street.
- No cyclist deaths were recorded in 2009.
- In July 2010, a cyclist died at East Eighth Avenue and Quebec Street.
Meanwhile, the city continues to trumpet the separated bike lanes that run over the Burrard Bridge, up Hornby Street, down Dunsmuir Street and over the Dunsmuir viaduct to Chinatown. These are the lanes that are protected by barriers such as planters, concrete barricades and curbs.
Statistics on the citys website indicate a high of 2,309 cycling trips along Hornby Street on Aug. 16 compared to a low of 139 on Feb. 6.
The Burrard Bridge still sees the most cycling trips, with a high of 6,566 on Aug. 3 (long weekend) compared to a low of 561 on Feb. 6; not sure if these low numbers are related to weather or counting equipment failure, which has occurred previously. Interestingly, impaired charges recorded under sections 253 and 255 of the Criminal Code by the VPD between 2005 and 2010 totalled 1,929.
The VPD has not done an analysis to determine whether any of the impaired charges related to motor vehicle accidents with cyclists. But as the charges reveal, people still like to drink and drive in this city.
Fork it over
The mad scramble by Vancouvers three mainstream parties to raise cash for this falls election campaign is underway, with the NPA hoping to raise a bundle Sept. 28 at the Hellenic Community Centre.
If you like the NPA and want to give them some cash, the party is asking for a measly $250 or $2,250 for a table of 10 to attend the event.
Billed as a taste of Vancouver, the party promises a selection of exquisite culinary tastes. Im guessing backyard chickens, eggs from said chickens and wheat from local yards will not be offered.
Or, I could be wrong since the partys mayoral candidate, Suzanne Anton, and her crew were spotted Saturday at the Autumn Shift street festival on Main Street, which featured a chicken coop and lots of info booths promoting the local food movement.
Read Kudos and Kvetches in the Couriers entertainment section to find out more about this incongruous political mash-up on Main Street.
Twitter: @Howellings
